Spurs prospect profile: Thomas Bryant

The Spurs own two picks in the June 22 draft, No. 29 and No. 59 overall. Though the odds of selecting an immediate contributor with either selection are not high, the Spurs’ front office has proven adept at mining value from that area of the draft. Last season with the No. 29 pick, for example, the Spurs snagged a possible point guard of the future in Dejounte Murray. Between now and draft day, we will use this space to profile selected players the Spurs might target on draft night:

In today’s NBA, big men have to be more skilled than they were a decade ago. It’s not enough to be a post presence, with low-block scoring ability. It’s not enough to rebound or defend the rim. NBA big men are expected to own those skills, plus an affinity for the 3-point line and the versatility to step out and defend smaller opponents on the perimeter.

That said, size still matters.

Indiana sophomore Thomas Bryant doesn’t check all the boxes above, but he does have size — and intriguing size at that. He is 6-foot-11, with a 7-foot-6 wingspan and a 9.45-foot standing reach, as measured at the NBA draft combine last month.

Those physical tools alone should have the 19-year-old on many teams’ draft boards. The Spurs reportedly worked him out during the pre-draft process.

Bryant endured something of a sophomore slump last season at Indiana, averaging 12.6 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.5 blocks. After shooting better than 70 percent from the field on 2-pointers as a freshman, Bryant slumped to 55.6 percent in his final year as a Hoosier.

He makes most of his hay with his size and length around the basket, either with put backs or on rim runs. Bryant likely won’t be able to overpower the competition at the NBA level as he did at times in college, but a good motor could quickly make him a viable role player at the next level.

There remains some question whether Bryant has the athleticism to guard along the perimeter. Again, he doesn’t check all the boxes, which is why he projects toward the end of the first round or early second and not higher. He has improved his perimeter shot, hitting better than 38 percent from 3-point range last season. That can’t hurt his stock.

The 2017 draft pool appears overstocked with big men. If the Spurs want a big man who plays like one, Bryant could be an option at No. 29.